David Small Designs

David Small Designs David Small Designs is an award winning architectural design firm with the experience of over 1,900 custom home and renovation designs.
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David launched David Small Designs in 1996. Initially it was a one-man, home-based operation. Today it is a collaborative team of 35 individuals who share a deep respect for each other and an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service. With a design vocabulary that spans from traditional to modern, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional and timeless custom homes and renovations.

Designing for a rural property is about much more than designing a house.⁠⁠Rural properties offer opportunities—and cons...
06/02/2026

Designing for a rural property is about much more than designing a house.⁠
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Rural properties offer opportunities—and constraints—that can significantly influence the design. Views, topography, sun orientation, servicing requirements, outdoor amenities, and future growth all need to be considered before the first floor plan is drawn.⁠
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The most successful rural homes are shaped by the land, not simply placed upon it.⁠
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Read the full article ‘Designing a Rural Property: What to Think About Before You Build’ through the link in our bio.⁠
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The basement has evolved far beyond a secondary living space.⁠⁠From subterranean sports courts and golf simulators, to t...
05/27/2026

The basement has evolved far beyond a secondary living space.⁠
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From subterranean sports courts and golf simulators, to theatres, arcades, wellness spaces, and immersive entertainment zones — lower levels have become some of the most dynamic spaces within the modern custom home.⁠
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When we designed The Manor House over 10 years ago, this was our first bowling alley integration — paired with a golf simulator, theatre, arcade, and entertainment lounge. The goal was to create a lower level that felt experiential, not subterranean.⁠
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Designing spaces like these requires thoughtful coordination beyond aesthetics alone — balancing natural light opportunities where possible, ceiling heights, structural spans, acoustics, mechanical systems, and the technical requirements associated with below-grade construction.⁠
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The result is a basement level designed to feel just as intentional and connected as the floors above.⁠
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Currently listed for sale. Contact to learn more.⁠
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The Manor House⁠⁠Set within an expansive rural landscape in Milton, this residence was designed around a simple principl...
05/26/2026

The Manor House⁠
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Set within an expansive rural landscape in Milton, this residence was designed around a simple principle — architecture should feel rooted in the land.⁠
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From the formal arrival sequence to the integrated pool, pavilion, and terraces, every element was carefully positioned to strengthen the connection between architecture and site.⁠
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The expansive façade, anchored by a symmetrical front entry feature, creates a timeless focal point upon arrival, while the rear of the home opens into layered outdoor living spaces designed for gathering, entertaining, and connection to nature.⁠
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A home defined by balance, permanence, and thoughtful site integration.⁠
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Currently listed for sale. Contact to learn more.⁠
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From Rendering to Reality⁠⁠Set within a 58-acre vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this home is conceived as an extension ...
05/21/2026

From Rendering to Reality⁠
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Set within a 58-acre vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this home is conceived as an extension of its landscape—low, horizontal, and deeply rooted in its surroundings. Currently in construction, the project is already expressing the clarity and intention of its original vision.⁠
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The approach unfolds gradually, with the front entry forming a composed focal point: stone piers rise to frame a recessed threshold, establishing both presence and arrival against the openness of the site.⁠
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Layered metal rooflines extend outward, echoing the horizon of the vineyard rows, while deep overhangs provide shelter and rhythm across the façade. Vertical elements at the entry introduce contrast, grounding the composition and drawing the eye inward.⁠
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Expanses of glazing capture long views across the property. Taller, more defined openings at the front entry give way to broader spans along the wings, allowing interior spaces to remain connected to the surrounding vines and shifting seasonal light.⁠
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A refined material palette reinforces this connection. Textured stone anchors the home, while warm wood siding introduces depth and variation. Together, these materials respond to the natural tones of the vineyard.
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From its earliest rendering to its built form, this home continues to evolve—an architectural response shaped as much by the land as by design intent.⁠
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The rear elevation is where this home reveals itself.⁠⁠Three levels of living space on display—expansive glazing and a d...
05/05/2026

The rear elevation is where this home reveals itself.⁠
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Three levels of living space on display—expansive glazing and a deep connection to the nuance and beauty of the property.⁠
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This home is a strong example of creative design on an expansive rural site shaped by complex conditions—an existing heritage home at the front of the property that needed to be preserved, and a 3-car garage that established the starting point for the site strategy.⁠
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The result is a thoughtfully integrated, dynamic home—an opportunity to respond to a remarkable property with equally considered design.⁠
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Construction:
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The Glass Bridge is about connection—between architecture and landscape, structure and experience.⁠⁠A contemporary compo...
05/04/2026

The Glass Bridge is about connection—between architecture and landscape, structure and experience.⁠
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A contemporary composition of volumes, thoughtfully arranged to respond to the site’s natural grade, creates a home that feels both expansive and grounded. ⁠
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The glass bridge becomes an experience—more than circulation, it’s an architectural statement. A light-filled transition that frames the landscape and connects each space with purpose.⁠
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Renovations aren’t simple.⁠And they’re rarely just about updating what’s there.⁠⁠They require navigating constraints,⁠ba...
04/29/2026

Renovations aren’t simple.⁠
And they’re rarely just about updating what’s there.⁠
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They require navigating constraints,⁠
balancing old and new,⁠
and seeing possibilities others might miss.⁠
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That’s where clarity becomes everything.⁠
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With Ontario’s new HST rebate, what’s possible within a renovation is shifting—but opportunity only matters if you have a clear direction from the start.⁠
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Our Renovation Vision Study is designed to give you that clarity.⁠
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So you can:⁠
• See the transformation before you commit⁠
• Understand the true scope and scale⁠
• Engage your builder with confidence⁠
• Make informed decisions early⁠
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The best renovation outcomes don’t happen by chance.⁠
They start with a clear vision—and the right decisions, early.⁠
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Start with clarity.⁠
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When designing a home, we design the experience.⁠Inside and out. ⁠Our role goes beyond the building. We set the stage fo...
04/27/2026

When designing a home, we design the experience.⁠
Inside and out.
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Our role goes beyond the building. We set the stage for how your entire property works:⁠
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✔️ Pool placement and orientation⁠
✔️ Driveway configuration⁠
✔️ Walkways, terraces, and outdoor living spaces⁠
✔️ Covered porches, BBQ zones, and functional flow⁠
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Every decision is intentional.⁠
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We’re thinking about sightlines from your kitchen to the pool.⁠
The transition from indoors to outdoors.⁠
How design elements align with the architecture—not compete with it.⁠
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Because great design isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it lives.⁠
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If you’re exploring what’s possible for your property, we offer a Vision Study.⁠ A thoughtful design service where we evaluate your property, zoning, and wish list—then develop a comprehensive master plan to guide your project forward.⁠
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Reach out to start the conversation.⁠
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Great architecture doesn’t stop at the walls of the home—it extends to the edges of the property.⁠⁠Too often, homes are ...
04/24/2026

Great architecture doesn’t stop at the walls of the home—it extends to the edges of the property.⁠
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Too often, homes are placed on a lot simply to meet zoning requirements. But the most thoughtful designs take a different approach—one that responds to the land itself.⁠
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Views. Grading. Vegetation. Sunlight. Privacy.⁠
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And just as importantly—how you move through the space.⁠
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➡️ What is the arrival experience—for you and your guests?⁠
➡️ How does your home create a sense of privacy from the street and neighbouring properties?⁠
➡️ Where are the best views—and are you capturing them from your main living spaces?⁠
➡️ How do you move from the front of the home to the rear yard—does it feel intuitive?⁠
➡️ How does your family move in and out of the home each day—garage, secondary entry, or front door?⁠
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These everyday moments shape how your home actually feels to live in.⁠
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When the master plan is done right, everything connects—the home, the land, and your lifestyle.⁠
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That’s the difference between designing a house and designing a home.⁠

Unlock the potential of your property.⁠
Ask us about our Vision Study.⁠
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After 30 years of designing custom homes, a few things have become clear.⁠⁠Homes connected to nature stand the test of t...
04/22/2026

After 30 years of designing custom homes, a few things have become clear.⁠
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Homes connected to nature stand the test of time.⁠
Natural light, views, and a respect for the land create lasting architecture.⁠
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Trust your instincts.⁠
The feeling you want your home to have should guide every decision.⁠
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Smart planning never goes out of style.⁠
How a home works matters just as much as how it looks.⁠
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There’s no such thing as a forever home.⁠
The best homes are designed for the life you’re living now—and what’s next.⁠
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And perhaps most importantly—⁠
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The “wow” factor isn’t one big move.⁠
It’s a thousand decisions done right.⁠
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The best homes aren’t accidental.⁠
They’re intentional.⁠
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Design informed by experience.⁠
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Address

4-1405 Cornwall Road
Mississauga, ON
L6J7T5

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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